Alberta Eileen (Parker) Dobbins

Durango resident Alberta Eileen (Parker) Dobbins died Thursday, May 3, 2012, at her home. She was 83.

Mrs. Dobbins was born to Eileen Lenore (Dennison) and Albert W. “Buster” Parker Jr. on April 6, 1929, in Durango. She grew up on the family ranch near Breen and attended schools in Durango and California. She graduated from Durango High School in 1947.

While working at the New York Bakery in Durango, she met her future husband, Ernest E. Dobbins. The couple married Aug. 16, 1947, in Aztec.

In addition to being a housewife and raising three children, Mrs. Dobbins had several careers, which included working at the Durango Credit Bureau and cooking in the school cafeteria at Needham Elementary and Miller Junior High schools in the 1970s. When she was first hired at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, she was one of two hand-dippers, eventually went on to supervise the hand-dipping operations. After she semi-retired, Mrs. Dobbins gave tours of the factory several days a week.

She was a long-standing 4-H leader and was involved in the La Plata County Fair for more than 40 years, both exhibiting and serving as superintendent and judge. Mrs. Dobbins was a member of the Extension Home Makers and knitted and crocheted numerous hats for newborns with the Mad Hatters and made blankets for traumatized or ill children through Project Linus.

She was an avid crafter and was always working on a project. Cooking and baking, including yeast breads, were a favorite pastime, and at one time, she baked homemade cream pies for the Silver Spur Restaurant. She would share the bounty from her cooking with her family and friends, especially at the holidays. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Mrs. Dobbins was preceded in death by her husband of almost 55 years, Ernest Dobbins; grandson Ty Dobbins; and great-grandchild Shane Eichthaler.

She is survived by her daughters Gayle Eichthaler and Joyce Dobbins Griffith, both of Durango; son, Carl Dobbins, of Durango; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has occurred. A celebration of life potluck will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2012, at 586 County Road 236 in Durango. Meat and drinks will be provided, side dishes or desserts would be appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.